LStar makes free Union Point land offer to Amazon

Thursday

Oct 19, 2017 at 5:31 PMOct 20, 2017 at 12:03 PM

Ed Baker ebaker@wickedlocal.com @EdBakerWeymouth

LStar Communities is offering Amazon free land to construct an 8 million square foot second headquarters at Union Point if the firm agrees to donate $200 million to South Shore charities during the next decade.

"We are offering 101.4 acres free," said Kyle Corkum, LStar Communities CEO and managing partner during a press briefing in Abington, Thursday. "If they donate the money they will get it (the land) for free."

Union Point is among various cities and towns that are trying to lure Seattle based Amazon to their municipality with a firm where 50,000 people would work.

Proposals have come from, Boston, Worcester and Londonderry, NH.

Worcester is offering Amazon $500 million in tax breaks to build a headquarters in the city.

New Hampshire officials are touting a 603–acre site in Londonderry as being shovel ready with the slogan, "All the Benefits of Boston Without All The Headaches."

Boston officials have not stated a location for the headquarters, but it is believed to be the former horserace track at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.

Corkum said Union Point offers Amazon an ideal place for workers to live and work without commuter traffic, in addition to being close to Boston.

"Union Point was created to alleviate this problem by giving people access to homes they can afford with no commute," he said.

Abington Selectman Alex Bezanson said Amazon would need only 18 percent of Union Point’s developable land to construct an 8 million–square-foot complex.

"We are shovel ready," he said.

Corkum said there is more than 10 million square-feet of land available for commercial development at Union Point, which he envisions to resemble a city.

"The zoning is here for more than 10-million square-feet for commercial development and 4,000 houses," he said. "We will probably have more than 40 restaurants on site. There will be hotels. This will be a smart city. We are ready to have shovels in the ground."

Norfolk Labor Council president Robert L. Rizzi said unions around the region are hopeful about constructing the Amazon headquarters.

"This means jobs and the union people are supportive of this," he said. "This shows we are a first class destination for this type of shop."

Rockland Selectmen Chairman Ed Kimball said the potential for having Amazon come to Union Point would provide economic benefits to Weymouth, Rockland and Abington.

"Our goal was to have a company like Amazon come on board," he said. "It is exciting to be part of this. This stands as a testament to the three towns standing together."

Weymouth Mayor Robert Hedlund said everyone he talks with is excited about the possibility of Amazon coming to Union Point.

"We have the site and Amazon has the need," he said. "This is probably the best site in the northeast."

South Shore Chamber of Commerce President Peter Forman said the possibility of Amazon locating to Union Point would not be a conversation without the efforts of Corkum and officials from Weymouth, Abington and Rockland.

"You cannot construct a project like this without strong public support from elected officials in the surrounding communities," he said. "This is a strong signal that the South Shore is ready to accept a major project like this."

Weymouth District 6 Councilor Michael Smart said Amazon would offer an incredible economic opportunity for Weymouth and the South Shore if the firm locates to Union Point.

"I look at this as an investment for Weymouth, Rockland and Abington with the prospect of 50,000 well paying jobs," he said "I am so excited. I hope Amazon will come here and see what Weymouth, Abington and Rockland have to offer."

Corkum said the idea to offer Amazon free land in exchange for contributing $200 million to South Shore charities is part of an effort to help people in need.

"Instead of having a discussion about how we can encourage Amazon to come here, we want to give Amazon an opportunity to give to us as well at the same time," he said. "Instead of us reaping the reward we want this benefit to extend to groups like Arc of the South Shore and others that service disadvantage groups on the South Shore. We felt it was for the greater good they get an economic benefit as well."

Corkum said LStar is pledging $500,000 over a 10-year period to Weymouth based Arc of the South Shore to help the agency assist children and adults who have cognitive physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Arc of the South Shore Executive Director Daryl Ann Cook-Ivan said the agency is very grateful for Union Point’s pledge.

"With LStar’s investment we will be able to further expand our new autism resource center and more than double the number of families we are able to serve," Cook-Ivan said.

She said LStar’s pledge would help Arc of the South Shore provide more South Shore families with information and referral services in addition to ongoing educational sessions.

WCVB contributed to this report.

UPDATE: This story was updated to reflect that Union Point's offer asks for Amazon to contribute $200 million to local charities over 10 years in exchange for free land.